Adidas’ Black Employees Say Their Company Needs to Do More Than Post for Black Lives Matter
Black employees from Adidas spoke out and expressed that their employer was not doing enough to combat racial discrimination.
In recent news, employees of Adidas have spoken up and stated the company does not do enough to support their Black employees. Some workers have even walked out and told Adidas to do more to foster an environment of support. After receiving this backlash, Adidas drafted a plan and came up with a solution.
Our Black co-workers have shown us through their words and actions what leadership looks like, and the changes adidas can make. They’ve led the response that we will continue to implement together.
This isn’t the final step, this is just the first.
— adidas (@adidas) June 10, 2020
First, we need to give credit where it’s long overdue: The success of adidas would be nothing without Black athletes, Black artists, Black employees, and Black consumers. Period.
— adidas (@adidas) June 10, 2020
Over the course of the next four years, Adidas will be donating $20 million towards its programs that support African Americans, including the Adidas Legacy, the Adidas School for Experiential Education in Design, and Honoring Black Excellence. Adidas will also be financing fifty university scholarships at partner schools for their Black employees for the next five years.
COMMUNITIES (2/2)
Our commitment of $120 million over the next 4 years will ensure all of our initiatives are sustainable and focused on long-term impact.
Additionally, we will finance 50 scholarships each year for Black students at partner schools.
— adidas (@adidas) June 10, 2020
Another newfound goal of the company is to hire more black and diverse employees. About 30% of new positions within Adidas will be filled by Black and Latinx applicants.
PEOPLE (2/2)
30% of all open positions (internal and external) will be filled with Black and Latinx talent.
50% of all open positions will be filled with diverse talent (inclusive of all diverse categories, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran).
— adidas (@adidas) June 10, 2020
While Adidas may be late in the game to support Black Lives Matter and foster diversity within their brand, they are now creating a plan of action to help support their employees. These advancements would not have been made if it weren’t for the Black employees who spoke up.
Clearly, change is necessary for many companies and more equality must be found within brands. Adidas is now expressing their future plans, and we hope this sparks initiative both within and outside the company to create more justice in the workplace.
Hi! I am Hannah Forton pursuing a double major in Communications and Music Industry. I love traveling, sports, cooking, music, Broadway, movies, DIY, make-up, clothes, and tutorials. Some of my favorite work experiences includes an internship at a recording studio and working at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Helping and educating others is important to me, and I’ve enjoyed being able to do so through volunteering for numerous non-profits since middle school. I like the big city vibes, but small towns will always hold a special place in my heart. Living near Detroit allows me to achieve the best of both worlds.
